Hakeem al-Araibi set to be freed by Thai authorities

Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi is set to be released from custody after Thai authorities withdrew extradition proceedings against him.

The 25-year-old travelled to Thailand on his honeymoon and was arrested upon arrival on November 27, detained on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain's request.

Al-Araibi fled his homeland in 2014 before being granted permanent residence in Australia, where he has since lived and is on the books of semi-professional club Pascoe Vale.

The 25-year-old pro-democracy advocate has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in absentia by the Bahrain regime for alleged vandalism but denies any involvement.

Although Al-Araibi's release is yet to be officially confirmed, the player's lawyer Latifa al-Haouli told SBS News: "We won. They have to send him home as quickly as possible."

Former Australia captain Craig Foster has campaigned stridently for Al-Araibi's release and said his family had shed tears of joy at the news.

Foster tweeted: "My thanks go to the wonderful people of Thailand for your support and to the Thai Govt for upholding international law. My deepest gratitude. Also to everyone who stood for what's right.

"Most important thing now is Hakeem's immediate wellbeing. Sure Embassy staff will take care of him, there'll be tears there tonight, as there are in our household right now. Going to take some moments to thank as many of the incredible people involved as possible.

"Many wonderful people stepped forward to help Hakeem. They all deserve to be in front of camera now, not only me. I can't list them, but will thank each of them in time. My thoughts are with Hakeem's wife. Her nightmare will shortly be at an end. Our prayers answered."

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Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City will take a significant stride towards becoming serial winners if they overcome Chelsea in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.

City won the trophy last season after beating Arsenal 3-0 in the final, as well as getting their hands on a third Premier League title.

The club are yet to retain a trophy in their history – something Silva wants to see corrected against Maurizio Sarri's side at Wembley.

"It would mean a lot for the history of the club," he said.

"That is one of our main goals: not only winning it once but keep winning and winning.

"We know we have the squad to do that but our opponents are very strong and it won't be an easy job."

City thumped Chelsea in the Premier League 6-0 less than a fortnight ago, but Silva insists it will be a far tougher game this time around.

"We should forget that match because it won't happen again," he added.

"We are not expecting the same result. We are playing against one of the best sides in the world, even though lately their results are not the best for them.

"Against those kind of players you can never relax and if you give them time to think, time to play and time to decide [what to do], they will destroy you. So, we have to play with the same intensity."

Millwall have been charged with failing to control spectactors by the Football Association after instances of alleged racist chanting during their FA Cup victory against Everton.

Footage posted on social media appeared to show a section of the club's supporters taunting away fans by using a derogatory term about the Pakistani community.

The FA launched an investigation into the incident and confirmed on Thursday the Championship side have now been charged.

"Millwall FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20," said an FA statement.

"It is alleged the club failed to ensure its spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words, which included a reference to race and/or ethnic origin, during the FA Cup tie against Everton on January 26."

Following the game, which Millwall won 3-2 to stay on course for a quarter-final at home to Brighton and Hove Albion, the club condemned the alleged racist abuse as "abhorrent".

"The club will, as is commonplace following such incidents, work with all relevant authorities during investigations into the matter and look to identify individuals involved. Anyone identified and guilty of such abuse will be banned from The Den for life."

Before the match, Everton fan Jay Burns was attacked and suffered a facial gash that required 25 stitches.

Police arrested and bailed a 27-year-old man on suspicion of wounding with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm and violent disorder.

Jurgen Klopp believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing a "brilliant job" at Manchester United and has shown that he is cut out for a top management job.

Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in December, with the former United favourite taking the reins on an interim basis until the end of the season.

And the Norwegian's return to Manchester has prompted a huge upturn in the club's fortunes, as United have lost just once - against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League - during his short reign.

He will face a stern test against Liverpool on Sunday but has the backing of his opposite number, who recognises the progress made under Solskjaer.

"We are not magicians. It's not like we can come in and say: 'You are good but I can make you really good'," Klopp told Sky Sports. "We are blessed with really good players around us.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing a brilliant job. It's all about bringing out the potential, bringing out the team's quality. That's what he's obviously done and it makes him the manager of a top club.

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